The car ride to the resort was silent, but Ivy's mind was anything but calm. Every word Lu Cheng had said on the plane echoed in her head, and she couldn't shake the feeling that she was stepping into something far more dangerous than she had ever imagined.
As they arrived at the resort, Ivy could barely believe her eyes. The place looked like something out of a luxury travel magazine,endless palm trees, white sand beaches, and a sprawling mansion at the center of it all. It was surreal, and yet, Ivy couldn't shake the unease settling in her gut.
Lu Cheng stepped out of the car, his mask still in place, and Ivy followed. Several men in dark suits were waiting by the entrance, their expressions cold and stern. They didn't say a word as Lu Cheng strode past them, Ivy trailing just behind.
"Stay close," he murmured without turning around.
Ivy nodded, gripping her bag tightly. She followed him through the grand entrance of the resort, her eyes darting around at the opulence surrounding them. Everything felt larger than life, the chandeliers, the marble floors, the gold accents everywhere. And yet, the air was thick with tension, as if everyone was walking on eggshells around Lu Cheng.
They made their way through the winding hallways, the tension growing with every step. Ivy could hear the low murmur of voices behind closed doors as they passed by. She wondered who they would be meeting, important clients, Lu Cheng had said, but there was a strange sense of secrecy in the air.
Finally, they arrived at a large set of double doors. Lu Cheng paused for a moment, turning to Ivy. His dark eyes were unreadable as he studied her. "Remember what I said," he reminded her, his voice low and deliberate.
Ivy nodded quickly, her pulse quickening.
Without another word, Lu Cheng pushed open the doors, and they stepped into an expansive conference room. Ivy immediately noticed that the atmosphere inside was even more intense than she had expected. Several men, dressed in sharp suits, were seated at the large table, their eyes shifting toward Lu Cheng as he entered.
One of the men at the head of the table stood up, a smirk playing at his lips. Ivy felt a chill run down her spine as she recognized the man, it was Lu Feng, Lu Cheng's twin brother. Unlike Lu Cheng, who always wore a mask, Lu Feng's face was on full display. His dangerously handsome features were set in a mischievous smile that contrasted sharply with the tension in the room.
"Ah, little brother," Lu Feng drawled, his voice dripping with amusement. "So good of you to finally join us."
Lu Cheng's eyes narrowed, though he remained silent. Ivy couldn't help but notice the stark difference between the twins. Where Lu Cheng was calm, controlled, and always masked, Lu Feng seemed wild, unpredictable, and dangerously charming.
"Let's get to business," Lu Cheng said coolly, taking his seat at the table. His mask gave nothing away, but Ivy could sense the tension between the two brothers. It was as if an invisible battle was being waged in the room, one that had been simmering beneath the surface for years.
Ivy stood near the door, unsure of what to do or where to look. The air was thick with power plays and unspoken rivalries, and she felt completely out of her depth. She had never seen Lu Cheng like this, so cold, so focused.
As the meeting began, the men at the table spoke in hushed tones, discussing terms, contracts, and deals that went far beyond Ivy's comprehension. But something about the way Lu Feng watched his brother sent a shiver down her spine. There was a darkness in his eyes, a sense that he was toying with everyone in the room.
At one point, Lu Feng's gaze flicked toward Ivy, his smirk widening. "You brought your assistant with you this time, I see," he remarked, his tone casual, but there was something unsettling in the way he spoke.
Lu Cheng didn't even glance in Ivy's direction. "She's none of your concern."
Lu Feng chuckled softly. "Oh, I'm sure she's quite capable. After all, she survived the interview."
Ivy's stomach dropped. She had never been able to forget that first meeting, how she thought she was interviewing with Lu Cheng, only to find out later that it had been Lu Feng all along. And now, here they were, the truth hanging in the air like a blade waiting to drop.
The meeting dragged on, and Ivy did her best to remain invisible, but her mind was racing. Why had Lu Cheng brought her here? What was this trip really about? And why did it feel like the tension between the two brothers was about to explode?
Finally, the meeting ended, and the men filed out of the room one by one. Lu Feng lingered for a moment, his gaze flicking between Lu Cheng and Ivy with a knowing smirk on his face.
"Well, little brother," he said, his voice low and dangerous, "I hope you know what you're doing."
With that, he turned and walked out, leaving Ivy alone with Lu Cheng.
The silence in the room was deafening. Lu Cheng remained seated, his fingers tapping lightly on the table. Ivy stood frozen, unsure of what to say or do.
"You did well," Lu Cheng said finally, his voice calm but distant.
"Thank you, sir," Ivy replied, though she wasn't sure what she had done.
Lu Cheng stood up, straightening his jacket. "We'll be staying here for a few more days. There's more to be done."
As he walked toward the door, Ivy followed, her mind still spinning with questions. She had been pulled into something far bigger than she had anticipated, and the secrets surrounding Lu Cheng and his brother were becoming more dangerous with every passing moment.
And deep down, Ivy knew this trip was only the beginning.